This comfortable jacket was made using BurdaStyle magazine March 2011 #128 Blouson jacket pattern, in a wool/rayon blend fabric. When I arrived home after purchasing the fabric a few months ago, I washed the fabric as usual, as I was told by the salesperson it was washable, but it wasn’t, and it felted between the embroidery either from the wool or the rayon thread. So I could not do with the fabric what I had purchased it for. However, I liked the affect, and finally decided to make this jacket out of the fabric. I am happy I did, as the jacket was great for travelling in, as it does not show any wrinkles!!!

I lengthened the pattern, added a fleece lining, a zippered pocket in the lining, and a chain hanging loop. I did not want to make the pockets in the pattern, as they required top-stitching on the front, and it would affect the way the felting handled. So I made bag pockets using the fleece fabric, so that my hands would be comfortable and warm when using the pockets. I had some ‘antique’ snap buttons from the Thrift Shop, and decided they would be a nice addition so that the pockets would not gape open, and I could cover them with matching fabric.

I used the solid at the selvedges to place on either side of the zipper. Because of the solid, the fabric was not wide enough with the lengthened sleeves. So I added a strip to the end of each sleeve, attaching it as if it were a ‘design’ element.

I used the width of the ribbing as suggested in the pattern, and at first I thought it was to narrow, but I think I like the width now that I have worn the jacket.

I finally got my snow while visiting the boys and their families. It was always below -10c while we were there, getting as cold as -23c. I have never experienced lower than ~-5c. I was glad to return home where it is +11c.